The luxury Knightsbridge hotel seems to be trying to recreate one of the many legends of Marilyn Monroe by giving guests the chance to bath in over 120 bottles of Champagne costing between a “reasonable” £4000 for the Louis de Custine Brut to a rather eccentric £25,000 for Dom Perignon Vintage!

Naturally guests also have a butler on hand to serve a glass or two of Champagne presumably at a rather chilly 7′C, although there is no information on whether the bath will be giving customers goosebumps too.

For those with the sortof credit card which allows for such luxuries, could we perhaps suggest taking a look at the top 10 new luxury hotels on our sister blog as hotel and flights combined would likely be slightly more affordable.

For more details, contact the Cadogan Hotel in Knightsbridge.

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Ultimate Valentines Day Champange “bubble bath” at the Cadogan Hotel is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

1) The Low Wood Hotel on the banks of Windermere sits in the heart of Wordsworth’s English Lake District with magnificant views across Windermere Lake and the Langdale Fells.

The famous daffodils might still be sleeping around the 14th February, but whether you decide to join them with a long romantic snuggle up in bed or get out your walking shoes and explore the magnificance of the English Lake District, you’re assured of a break to remember with a romantic dinner at this fabulous four star Lake District hotel.

2) The Gosforth Park hotel offers four star luxury set within 12 acres of lush parklands, close to Newcastle-upon-Tyne offering a true romantic setting and convenient location for couples in what many surveys have suggested is one of the most romantic parts of the country.

As well as offering a relaxed environment and romantic setting for your perfect Valentines night with the very special AA Rosette awarded restaurant, the hotel also has a range of facilities ideal for this special night including a relaxing sauna, indoor pool and a range of beauty treatments available. Plus for the more energetic there is always the tennis court and gym.

3) The Legacy Falcon Inn in Stratford-upon-Avon neatly takes us from the romantic poems of Wordsworth to possibly the romantic playright of them all – William Wordsworth. This four star 16th Century coaching inn offers possibly the most romantic of all the locations in our list, offering you two the chance to explore the home and inspiration for Romeo & Juliette.

After wandering through Stratford itself, you can sit down to a wonderful meal at the rosette-awarded hotel restaurant in one of Stratford’s premier hotels.

4) The Cambridge Menzies Hotel is set in over 200 acres of lush grounds offering one of the best places to just get away on romantic walks, with easy access to the historic city of Cambridge. Guests can relax in the 16m swimming pool, Nordic sauna room and steam room, then dine out in the hotel’s AA Rosette Awarded restaurant to experience the true romantic meal for two. With dinner and hotel packages from only £72 per person for four star luxury, this is also one of the most affordable dining packages around.

5) The Holiday Inn Bloomsbury is located right in the heart of London’s theatreland with the British Museum and London Zoo also close by. Ideally suited for romantic breaks this Valentines Day, the hotel offers affordable four star luxury accommodation and superb dining in the Junction Restaurant.

Romantic meals for two for this Valentines Day is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

The Up Helly Ya festival is unique to Shetland and occurs every year on the last Tuesday in January to celebrate the end of Yule season (a sortof European end of Christmas celebration).

Origins: Originally the celebration consisted of dragging burning barrels of tar through the streets as is still customary in a few places today, but around 1874 this was banned from the island and the Up Helly Ya torchlight festival began instead.

Today the festival involves thousands of islanders parading through the streets of Lerwick, the island’s biggest town, carrying burning torches ultimately towards a Viking Longboat which is burned in a ritual symbolising the island’s rich connections with the Vikings and Scandinavia.

Thousands more tourists come to the islands to see this festival which has become a welcome Winter tourist boost for the islands, but true to their traditions, the festival is essentially unchanged despite the numbers of visitors from all around the world.

Oddities: One of the slightly odd aspects of Up Helly Ya is that women are not traditionally allowed in the main procession which causes quite a number of the men to dress up in women’s clothes to even out the numbers.

Update: There are various activities which take place throughout the day. Below is a screenshot we took from the official webcam (link below) around 10am this morning:

To watch the festival click here for the Up Helly Ya webcam and there’s a lot more information on the Up Helly Ya web site.

If you’re planning to visit Shetland for next year’s festival, there are quite a few hotels on Shetland plus quite a lot of visitor attractions in Lerwick.

Up Helly Ya – Live webcam from Shetland is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

However, if you’re looking for a holiday destination with really quick broadband and don’t want to be sat indoors next to the wi-fi box, then head for the area around St. Newlyn East in Cornwall which is trialing a 4G Internet connection giving speeds in theory between 100Mbits and 1Gbit.

In reality speeds rarely reach the theoretical maximums, but residents and holiday makers in the area have reported steady speeds of 7Mbits which is still significantly quicker than most residential Internet connections!

The only hitch is the trial is currently only planned to run until June this year but has already been extended and might well be extended through the Summer again as the company behind it “Everything Everywhere” test the technology further. The village is around 2 miles south of Newquay in Cornwall.

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Cornwall gets 4G Internet for smartphones & tablets is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

Many Sushi restaurants opened up in London during the 90’s and most generally don’t worry about how you use the chopsticks (or even if you do use them), but if you want to impress the chefs and fellow diners, then there are a few simple rules you can use to ensure you keep in with the Japanese traditions.

As they say a picture paints a thousand words, the easiest way to explain this is with a video on how to eat Sushi.

One of the big advantages of Japanese cuisine is that you’re allowed to use your fingers for many dishes, but for those where chopsticks are preferred here is another quick video to help with how to use chopsticks:

A quick video guide to eating Sushi in Japanese restaurants is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

So it should perhaps come as no surprise that two Cumbrian bothers decided to continue this tradition with by building a boat and travelling across the Atlantic Ocean….except this boat is pedal powered!

Kieran and Shaun Sweeney didn’t come from a maritime family and had no real experience of sailing before they started out on this epic idea, but they did have one ambition. They want to raise £50,000 for a children’s heart unit charity (CHAF) at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle where a friend’s 12 month old daughter had received a new heart, although she sadly died 6 months later in the hospital.

The plan: Last Summer they drew up plans to build an ocean going boat which would make its way across the 3000 miles of the Atlantic Ocean purely on pedal power. The boat which is not much bigger than those you would find on the Cumbrian lakes, was packed out with hi-tech equipment for navigation and safety, and electrically powered by solar panels plus contained enough food to provide 8000 calories per-person each day.

The boat is made from plywood with a fibre-glass cabin and was mostly constructed by the Whitehaven brothers to keep costs down, especially as non of the donated funds from this charity boat trip are being used to fund the build.

The duo won’t receive an easy ride across the Atlantic with waves of 20 feet expected and help will be two days away should they run into trouble out at sea!

Attempt 1: The journey should have taken around 30 days from Gran Canaria aiming for Port St Charles in Barbados and was first attempted on the 14th December 2011 but they had to make an SOS call 10 miles out to sea after the driveshaft broke on the boat.

Attempt 2: The pair set off again on the 25th January 2012 having made modifications to the boat and were looking much better this time with no apparent mechanical problems. Unfortunately nature took a different tactic this time to delay their plans by giving the boys mild food poisoning and landing them in hospital after completing 43 miles.

Attempt 3: Not detered by these set-backs, the brothers are planning to get back in their boat in the next few days and try for Barbados again. We’ll report back when we know they’ve set off again.

You can find out more about the journey on the Ocean Pedal Challenge web site and even win a car by donating £10! (See web site for details). They’re also on Facebook under the Ocean Pedal Challenge FB page.

2 Cumbrian brothers attempt to pedal across the Atlantic Ocean for charity! is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

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Amazing aerial tour of Cornwall is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

A pretty, stone-built village with an eclectic mix of shops and attractions, Allendale is the gateway to the picturesque Allen Valleys where you’ll find stunning scenery, wonderful views and rare wildlife including red squirrel and black grouse.  Nestled in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you could spend hours wandering its many walking tracks without meeting another human.  Sounds tranquil, doesn’t it!?  But don’t worry about being bored, what with the great restaurants, interesting crafts and amazingly large number of festivals.  Whether you like walking, beer and wine, flowers, or carrying flaming tar barrels on your head, they’ll definitely have a festival for you!

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Allendale – a Northumbrian hidden gem is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

But for those that don’t own any sports equipment, don’t have the skill or aren’t ready to commit to the training required to succeed in Olympic disciplines, England has plenty of less conventional competitive activities on offer. VisitEngland’s Chairman Lady Cobham says: “This year is a fantastic time to be in England, and not just for Olympic and Paralympic sports enthusiasts. The range of alternative sports taking place across the country is evidence of this – there is something for everyone and these unusual events really bring to the fore some of our country’s quirkier heritage and culture. In addition to these annual competitions, there’ll be hundreds of events and festivals taking place in a jam-packed cultural and sporting calendar. There’s really no better time to take a break in England!”

So grab your wellies, gravy-proof clothing and your pea shooter and get involved in some of the country’s alternative sporting events. Here, VisitEngland describes ten of the best…

1. Pancake Dashing - 21st February 2012 (Shrove Tuesday), Olney, Buckinghamshire

The unique Olney Pancake Race literally stops traffic as, once a year, energetic local ladies in traditional housewife attire (including skirt, apron and scarf), run through the streets of Olney. The 415-yard dash is started by the church warden at 11.55am prompt using a large bronze ‘Pancake Bell.’ Pancakes are tossed at the start of the race and the winner is required to toss her pancake again at the finish. The race has been run since around 1445 and since 1950, the contest has been an international event between Olney and the town of Liberal, Kansas in America. The race is run on a timed basis and the winner is declared after times are compared during a transatlantic telephone call.

2. Coal Carrying - 9th April 2012, Ossett, West Yorkshire

Held each year on Easter Monday, the World Coal Carrying Contest is a great test of strength and stamina in which participants carry 50kg (men) or 20kg (women) of coal over a mile-long uphill course. The World Coal Carrying Contest dates back to 1963 when a local coal merchant and the president of the Maypole Committee were enjoying a pint together. A friend burst into the pub and bet that he could race them with a bag of coal on their backs. Not to let a good idea go to waste, the secretary of the Maypole Committee decided to set the race for Easter Monday. The current world record, held by David Jones of Meltham, is 4 mins 6 secs. But will he hold onto it?

3. Shin-Kicking - 1st June 2012, Dover’s Hill, near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire

Started by local barrister Captain Robert Dover in 1612, the annual Cotswold Olimpicks attracts thousands of spectators and features some well-known countryside games such as tug-of-war, obstacle races and wrestling as well as a few stranger events – including shin-kicking. The two contestants first fill their trouser legs with straw – to help reduce the pain – before holding one another’s arms and kicking each other wearing steel toe-capped boots. The loser is the competitor that gives in to the pain and bruising first. 2012 marks the Olimpicks’ 400th anniversary, so expect some special celebrations this year.

4. Cheese Rolling - 4th June 2012, Brockworth, Gloucestershire

A passion for cheese is a must for this annual event, which involves daredevils hurling themselves down the steep, grassy slopes in pursuit of Double Gloucester cheeses. The race starts with the master of ceremonies rolling a 4kg Double Gloucester cheese down the hill. On the whistle, competitors run, roll and somersault down the hill after it. It’s impossible not to fall over due to the rough uneven nature of the slope, which has a dizzying 1:2 gradient. The winners take home the cheeses as well as a few cuts and bruises. The event dates back to medieval times and is popular with international competitors.

5. Egg Throwing - 24th June 2012, between Helpringham & Swaton, Lincolnshire

In the annual World Egg Throwing Championships, contestants must construct a gravity-powered egg-hurling device to launch an egg to a waiting team member. To achieve points, the team member must either catch the egg unbroken or get struck by the egg. As the egg can be traveling at speeds of up to 120 mph this is particularly tricky and can be painful. Distances to be achieved start at 30 meters but can be extended up to 150 in the knock out competition. Event competitions include basic throwing, catching relays and egg roulette.

6. Pea Shooting - 14th July 2012, Witcham, Cambridgeshire

This international event brings challengers from as far as New Zealand and the USA to compete for the World Pea Shooting trophy. Accuracy, not distance, is the aim of this competition, with contestants shooting a pea through a 12-inch tube, 12 feet towards a 12-inch target. Competition is fierce and laser-guided shooters for specialists are not uncommon. Pea shooters and peas can be bought at the event.

7. Toe Wrestling - 25th August 2012, Fenny Bentley, Ashbourne, Derbyshire

Each August the Bentley Brook Inn in Derbyshire hosts the Ben & Jerry’s World Toe Wrestling Championship. The event was conceived in 1976 in a pub in Wetton, when the locals of ‘Ye Olde Royal Oak Inn’ thought it would be a great idea to hold a toe wrestling competition. Competitors locked their big toes together, and attempted to force their opponent’s foot to the ground. The organisers have big intentions for the sport, and applied in 1997 for its inclusion in the Olympic Games. Unfortunately for fans, it was not accepted.

8. Gravy Wrestling - 27th August 2012, the Rose & Bowl Inn, Bacup, Rossendale, Lancashire

The World Gravy Wrestling Championships take place annually as part of the Pennine Lancashire Festival of Food & Culture and celebrate their 5th anniversary in 2012. In this saucy challenge, teams slide around in lukewarm gravy and attempt to wrestle one another to the ground. Team members win points for pinning the opposition down in the gravy.

9. Black Pudding Throwing - 9th September 2012, Royal Oak, Bridge Street, Ramsbottom, Lancashire

Lancashire is famous for the production of this regional delicacy – along with tripe (cow’s stomach) and elder (steamed cows’ udder) – and so is a fitting home for the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships. The aim is to throw a black pudding that has been wrapped in a pair of ladies tights at a collection of Yorkshire puddings on a plinth 20 feet up a tower built in the middle of the main street in Ramsbottom. Whoever knocks down the most, wins!

10. Conker Knockout - 14th October 2012, Ashton, near Oundle, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

The game of conkers has been a popular pastime for British schoolchildren for decades. The rules are simple. Each player is given a conker (horse chestnut) attached to a piece of string and they take turns to swing their conker at their opponent’s and try to break it. The World Conker Championships are held each year on the village green in Ashton, Peterborough and attract over 300 competitors attempting to become the King or Queen of Conkers. There are various categories for the knockout competition – ladies, men, teenagers and children. The world tournament came about after a group of local friends had to cancel their annual fishing trip one year. From the pub, they saw conkers falling from the trees onto the village green. They went out and had a game…

Who needs the London 2012 Olympics when we already have shin-kicking and gravy wrestling?! is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

Cornwall Spring Flower Show
JP Morgan Asset Management Finn Festival Helston Flora Day
Daphne du Maurier Festival
Golowan Festival
J Class Regatta
Pendennis Cup
Port Eliot Festival
Boardmasters Skate, Surf and Music Festival
Festival of Sport Cornwall
Bude Jazz Festival
Falmouth Oyster Festival

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Top 12 events in Cornwall in 2012 is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog